SEPANG - Malaysia Airports recorded 51 million passenger movements across its Malaysian airport network in the first half of 2026.

The total was 1.8% higher than a year earlier, Malaysia Airports said in figures reported by RTM on July 22. International passenger movements increased 7.7% to 27.8 million, offsetting a 4.4% decline in domestic traffic as airlines adjusted capacity in response to higher operating costs and weaker demand.

Malaysia Airports handled 7.6 million passenger movements in June, comprising 4.1 million international and 3.5 million domestic movements. Traffic moderated from May as airlines continued to optimise their networks and aircraft deployment during a period of elevated fuel prices, geopolitical uncertainty and changing travel demand.

Managing Director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani said June’s performance reflected a more cautious operating environment as airlines adjusted capacity to changing market conditions. 

“While this moderated domestic passenger traffic, we remain focused on strengthening connectivity and supporting our airline partners to capture future growth opportunities,” he said in the July 22 report.

The domestic decline was sharpest in Sabah, where passenger movements fell 7.1% during the six-month period. Penang, Langkawi and several secondary airports also handled fewer domestic passengers than a year earlier. International demand remained supported by travel involving Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Australia, Vietnam and Europe.

At KL International Airport, international passenger movements increased 7.8% to 23.4 million in the first half. Total traffic at the country’s main international gateway rose 5.4% to 31.7 million passenger movements. 

Malaysia Airports’ local network recorded 27.4 million passenger movements during the first quarter of 2026. KLIA accounted for 16.9 million of those movements, an increase of 14.4% from the first quarter of 2025. The network handled 9.1 million movements in March, including 5.6 million at KLIA.

Across the wider Malaysia Airports group, including Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, passenger movements reached 74.8 million in the first half, up 3.2% year on year. The Turkish airport contributed 23.8 million movements, supported by international demand and network expansion.